Doughnut machine



C. E. CARPENTER May 30, 1939.

DOUGHNUT MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 25, 1937 May 30, 1939.

C. E. CARPENTER DOUGHNUT MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 23, 1937 Inve nfor' Chm"i fie stimb DOUGHNUT MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Q TH mm 0. E. CARPENTER Filed April 25, 1957 INVENTOR.

hm mm May 30, 1939.

y 30, 1939- c. E. CARPENTER 2,160,123

DOUGHNUT MACHINE Filed April 23, 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 InVenlorw CharlesEQ 1 b fimaag May 30, 1939.

C. E. CARPENTER DOUGHNUT MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed April 23, 1937 Inve nTor' Chaf'lesE. r-penfer: b

Patented May 30, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 14 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in doughnut machines and the like, and particularly, to improvements in such machines intended for large quantity production in doughnuts cooked per hour. One feature of the invention relates to an arrangement in which there are provided two cooking channels or compartments along which two distinct rows of the cooking articles progress from a common supply point to a common delivery point during the cooking operation. In this connection it is an object to provide an arrangement in which a single or common doughnut cutter is so arranged that it drops the cut forms into the grease at a given point, together with means for thereafter moving the so out forms alternately to the two cooking channels, so that such single cutter serves both channels.

In connection with the foregoing, it is an object to place the two channels parallel to each other, with the doughnut cutter located at one end and between the channels, together with suitable delivering devices at the delivery ends of the channels. By this arrangement the operating devices may be placed between the two channels, thereby bringing the entire structure oflarge capacity into a relatively small space.

It is a further object to provide each such channel with suitable turning devices so that at the proper time in the cooking process the forms will be turned over in the well understood manner. In this connection it is an object to provide such turners of a new and improved form, which is very simple an inexpensive.

A further feature of the invention relates to a new and improved means for advancing the cooking forms along the channels, both to the turners and thereafter to the delivery devices. These carriers or advancers for the forms are of a new and very simple construction, and easily operated.

When a new form has been cut and dropped into the cooking grease it is soft, and a certain interval of time must elapse before it receives a sufiiciently hard crust to resist more than a very slight pressure without being deformed. In

the process of advancing the cooking doughnuts along their channels, the advancing means presses against the more newly placed form, forcing it along the channel, and thereby also causing the other previously cut forms to be advanced in order. This means that the newly cut form is subjected to the full pressure needed to advance the line of forms. It is therefore an object of the invention to so arrange and time the parts that when the newly cut and introduced form is shifted to one channel or the other it will not, at that time, be compelled to advance the previously introduced forms along their channels, but will be allowed to remain isolated for as long an interval as possible, approximating the time 5 needed to drop two forms, before being called on to serve, by its pressure, to advance previously out forms along, the channels. This will permit each freshly out form to acquire a sufficient crust to withstand the pressure of the advancing means 10 without deformation of the cooking doughnut.

A further feature of the invention relates to the provision of very simple means for properly operating all the devices from a single driving point, centrally located, thus ensuring proper l5 timing, and bringing the mechanisms within a minimum amount of space.

Other objects and uses of the invention will appear from a detailed description of the same, which consists in the features of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 shows a plan view of a typical construction of device embodying the features of the present invention, the same including two parallel channels, together with a swinging arm or rake which delivers the newly out forms alternately to these channels, each channel being provided with the means for advancing the forms to the position of the turner, and also for moving the turned forms away from the turner to the position of the delivering means;

Figure 2 shows a vertical longitudinal section on the line 22 of Figure 1; 35

Figure 3 shows a vertical longitudinal section on the line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 shows a side elevation of the machine of Figures 1, 2 and 3;

Figure 5 shows a plan view of a modified construction of device in which a transversely moving carrier or shifter has been substituted for the swinging arm arrangement of Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 for delivering the out forms alternately to the two channels; and

Figure 6 shows a detailed view of a modified form of advancing means or carrier; and

Figure 7 shows a cross-section on the line of Figure 5, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 8 shows a plan view of another modified construction of machine;

Figure 9 shows a side elevation of the machine of Figure 8;

Figure 10 shows a cross-section on the line 55 llilll of Figure 8, looking in the direction of the arrows;

' Figure 11 shows a perspective view of a modified form of carrier or advancing means; and- Figure 12 shows a plan view of another modified form of machine.

Referring first to Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, the device therein shown includes the parallel channels I0 and II, connected at the feeding end by the semi-circular cross-passage i2, and connected at the delivery end by the cross-passage [3. These channels and two cross-passages are the vessel or container for the hot grease, and may be heated in any convenient manner, not shown. Also these parts are preferably relatively shallow, as indicated.

Located centrally above the cross-passage I2 is the doughnut cutter i4. This may be of any convenient form, and supported and driven in any convenient manner. The form shown more or less diagrammatically includes the hopper 15 from which there depends the throat l5, having the downwardly extending perforating die l1, and the sleeve I8 is slidably mounted on the throat so that it may be moved up and down. Suitable means are provided for driving the cutter, the details of which are not shown, since they may be of any suitable form, but up and down movements of the link 82 by a back and forth movement of the link 82 operate the cutter. Each time the cutter operates it serves to drop a doughnut into the hot grease at the midposition of the cross-passage 12, as shown by the dotted form l9. There is a vertical shaft 20 located at the center or axis of the cross-passage l2, said shaft carrying at its upper end the arm 2|, so that as the shaft is rocked back and forth said arm will also swing back and forth through something less than one-half circle. This arm has the downwardly extending fingers 22 which form a rake to move the dropped forms to one side or the other as the case may be as the arm is swung. Said fingers may be of springy material or may be loosely carried at their upper ends so that they will normally serve to move the forms, but may yield in case of obstruction of the doughnut forms without damage to the forms. The shaft 20 is carried by the journals 23 and 24 connected to the channels as shown. The lower end of the shaft 20 carries a pinion 25 engaged by the rack bar 25, so that back and forth movements of said rack bar serve to rock the shaft and arm back and forth.

Extending across the central portion of each channel is a shaft, these being the shafts 21 and 28 for the two channels respectively. These shafts do not need to reach to the outsides 0f the channels, but may be wholly contained within the channels, thereby making it unnecessary to provide any leak-proof journals for these shafts. Each shaft carries a series of wire teeth 29 of the general form shown in Figure 2. Each such tooth extends for a short distance from the shaft, and is then turned at right angles to form a shelf upon which a doughnut may be received and held, the shaft ends of the teeth forming an abutment to hold the doughnut against shifting when the turner is turning over, and until the doughnut has assumed slightly more than a vertical position. These teeth are also curved around in circular form on the shaft as an axis, so that as the turner is turned over to turn the doughnut, the next succeeding doughnut is prevented from moving to a position beneath the turner, and thereby the returning movement of the turner is not in'terferred with.

Due to the fact that the major portion of the channels does not have to be of sufficient depth to accommodate the swinging movement of the teeth, I have shown the floors of the channels as having the curved depressions beneath the turners, as shown at 30. In case it should be desired to provide fiat floors for the channels this may be done, thereby providing extra grease capacity in the channels.

Each turner has the arm 3i or 32 as the case may be, reaching upwardly from its shaft and over the edge of the channel, and being then turned down to a point beyond the axis of the turner shaft, and these end portions are provided with the crank connections 33 and 34 respectively, whereby the respective turners are rocked. The extent of such rocking movement is somewhat more than ninety degrees as evident from Figure 2.

Located in the channels are the pairs of carriers or advancing devices, designated as 35, 35, 31 and 38, respectively. Each of these includes the cross shaft 39, and the longitudinally extending fingers 40. Each of these fingers extends to both sides of the shaft, and the rearwardly extending finger portions have their ends upturned to provide doughnut engaging teeth, and the forwardly extending finger portions have their ends downturned to provide limit lugs or stops. The fingers also have the supplemental downwardly extending lugs 4| which also serve as limit lugs or stops for rocking movement of the carriers in the opposite direction. These limit lugs contact against the floors of the respective channels. The carrier shafts also have the arms 42, 43, 44 and 45 extending upwardly and over the channel walls, and terminating in the cranks as indicated; and these are for operation of the respective carriers or advancing means. In addition thereto, the shafts of the carriers 35 and 31 have the arms 46 and 41 respectively extending up and over the opposite walls of the channels from the arms 42 and 44 respectively, and also terminating in cranks, and it is noted that the arms 43 and 450i the carriers 36 and 38 are located on the same sides of their respective carriers as the arms 45 and 41 just referred to.

Pivotally mounted on the outside walls of the respective channels are the swinging arms 48 and 49, pivoted at the points 50 and 5], respectively; and there are the links 52 and 53 connecting the ends of the arm 48 to the crank arms 45 and 43, and there are the links 54 and 55 connecting the ends of the arm 49 to the crank arms 41 and. 45, respectively. Consequently, back and forth movements of the carrier 35 are communicated to the carrier 36, but in opposite directions, and back and forth movements of the carrier 31 are communicated to the carrier 38, but in opposite directions. That is, as the carrier 35 moves to the right, the carrier 36 moves to the left, and vice versa, etc.

The end portions of the carriershafts 39 travel in slots in the side walls of the channels, as shown at 56 and 51 in Figure 2, said slots receiving the ends of the shafts with slight friction, so that there is a hold-back tendency when the carrier is to be shifted. Therefore, as a shifting force is applied to any one of the arms 42, 43, 44 or 45, the first result is to rock the carrier until the downwardly extending limit fingers reach the channel floor, whereupon further rocking is prevented, and further move- 75 ment of the crank results in bodily shifting of the carrier endwise of the channel. An analysis will show that with this arrangement, as each carrier is shifted to the left, that is, towards the doughnut dropper, it travels with its doughnut engaging teeth lowered, so that said teeth may move beneath the floating doughnut to a position with the carrier beneath the doughnut. Then, when the reverse or right hand movement of the carrier commences, the first result of such movement is to tilt the carrier back so as to raise its doughnut engaging teeth to a position where they may engage the doughnut, and further right hand movement of the carrier serves to cause the doughnut to be shifted to the right, or away from the doughnut dropper and towards the turner or point of delivery as the case may be.

Extending across the machine between the channels In and H is the drive shaft 68, carrying the gear 59 by which it may be driven in any convenient manner. This drive shaft carries the cams 68 and 8| at its opposite ends, that is, close to the faces of the channels, said cams being placed in opposition to each other. There are also the rods 62 and 63 extending across between the channels and supported by them. On the rod 62 are the lever arms 64 and 65 close to the faces of the respective channels. and in line with the two cams, and on the rod 63 are the lever arms 66 and 61 close to the faces of the respective channels, and in line with the two cams, but adapted to engage the faces of the cams opposite to the engagement of the arms 64 and 65, respectively.

The upper ends of the levers 64 and 65 are connected to the upper ends of the arms 42 and 44, respectively, by means of the links 68 and 69, which links have the adjustment nuts 10 and H on their ends outside of the arms 64 and 65, so that said nuts can be adjusted back and forth to vary the effective lengths of the links; and the links themselves are free to slide within the holes of the arms or levers 64 and 65 if need be. Springs 12 and 13 connect the arms 42 and 44 with the edges of the channels, and tend to restore said arms to the left hand position shown in Figure 1.

With the foregoing arrangement it will be evident that the carriers 35 and 31 are normally restored to their left hand positions by the springs, and that such restoring movement is accompanied by corresponding right hand movements of the carriers 36 and 38. Also, that the left hand movements of the carriers are also permitted to continue until the rods 39 thereof reach the left hand ends of the slots 56, the positioning of the nuts 10 and H, permitting such action. This ensures that each such carrier will always move leftwards to a position where it will pick up a doughnut brought around by the sweep or rake 2|; by proper adjustment of the nuts 18 and H the right hand movements of the arms 64 and 65 may be adjusted so that the carriers will be moved towards the right a distance dependent on the sizes of the doughnuts, but such that the right hand doughnut of the series will move to proper position for subsequent engagement and turning action by the turner. It is noted that this arrangement is such that usually the left hand movement of the carrier is limited by the end of the slot 56 or 51, as the case may be, before the left hand movement of the corresponding arm 64 or 65 has been completed, leaving the rods to slide in the holes in the upper ends of the arms, thereby creating a lost motion effect.

The links 52, 53, 54 and 55 are also of adjustable length, as evident by the nuts l4, I5, 16 and I1, so that the parts may be brought into such adjustment that the carriers 36 and 38 will always be restored to the same extreme left hand position, to properly engage the left hand doughnut of the'series of doughnuts lying to the right of the turner; and in order to always ensure movement of the right hand doughnut of such series to a position where it will be properly taken on to the delivery device, presently to be described, notwithstanding the varying or adjustable sizes of the doughnuts, each of the arms 48 and 49 may be provided with a series of holes located at different positions from the pivots 50 and 5| to receive the links 53 and 55 at different radii of adjustment. In connection with all the foregoing adjustments it is noted that the cutter I4 is of such construction that the sizes of the forms may be varied to provide for different sizes of doughnuts. Stops 4i and 45 on the channels may be set to different positions to limit right hand movement of the carriers 36 and 38 under impulse of the springs 43' and 45 The lever arms 66 and 67 are for operation of the turners on the shafts 21 and 28, respectively. For the purpose the arms 3| and 32 are respectively connected to the upper ends of the lever arms 66 and 61, respectively, so that back and forth movements of the lever arms are accompanied by corresponding back and forth rocking movements of the turners. In this connection, it is noted that the parts are so proportioned that the rocking movements of the turners are always the same in amount.

There is a double cam 18 on the drive shaft 58, the same engaging the lever arm 18, pivoted at the point 80. This lever arm has the bell crank 8|, which is connected by a link 82 with suitable parts of the doughnut cutter |4, through the medium of the bell crank 82*, pivoted at 82 and the link 82, connected to a suitable part of the doughnut cutter at 82 so that each back and forth movement of the link 82 causes dropping of one doughnut into the hot grease at the position I9 in Figure 1.

There is also .a semi-circular cam 83 on the drive shaft, which engages the plate 84 on the end of a slide rod 85, which slide rod carries the rack 26 for rocking the rake or sweep back and forth.

At the delivery end of the device there is placed a suitable delivery mechanism, which in the form shown takes the form of the endless tracks 86 and 81 running over suitable rollers 88 and 89, so that the doughnuts are delivered to the slides 90 and 8|, respectively. This delivery mechanism moves continuously during the operation of the machine, so that as the doughnuts are brought to the respective delivery devices they are taken thereon, and delivered from the channels.

With the foregoing arrangements the following is the sequence of operations. The drive shaft 58 turns clockwise. During the first quarter turn the cam 60 lowers and the cam 6| rises, the cam 18 assumes a horizontal position, and the cam 83 also assumes a horizontal position. These movements cause the carrier 35 to move to the extreme left hand position beneath the left hand doughnut of a series, and with its teeth in lowered condition, cause the carrier 36 to move to the right hand position with its teeth raised, thereby shifting the series of doughnuts to the right and carrying the right hand one of such series on to the delivery device 86, for removal from the channel. At the same time the shaft 28 is turned over to the left to restore the turner to position for receiving another doughnut to be turned. At the same time the link 82 has moved to the right to perform a half movement for operating the doughnut cutter, and the rack bar 26 has not moved, so that sweep arm or rake has not changed position.

During the next quarter turn of the drive shaft the cam 60 moves out to the left, the cam 6| moves out to the right, the double cam 18 again becomes vertical, and the cam 83 moves out to the right. This results in the following: The turner shaft 21 is turned over to the right, thereby turning over a doughnut and delivering it to the second series, the carrier 31 is shifted to the right and the carrier 38 is shifted to the left, the carrier 31 with its teeth raised, and the carrier 38 with its teeth lowered. This shifts the one series of doughnuts to the right so as to place the right hand one of such series on the turner, and at the same time places the carrier 38 in position for subsequent engagement with the right hand series of doughnuts. At the same time the link 82 is caused to complete its back and forth movement to cause dropping of a doughnut, and the sweep or rake is turned to the left or counterclockwise to sweep a doughnut into position at the left hand end of the channel I0.

During the next quarter turn of the drive shaft the cam 60 swings up, the cam 6| swings down, the cam 83 again assumes a horizontal position, and the double cam 18 also assumes a horizontal position. The result thereof is that the turner shaft 21 is turned over to the left, thereby restoring the turner to position to receive a doughnut, the carrier 31 returns to the left hand position with its teeth in lowered condition, the carrier 38 moves to the right with its teeth raised to shift the series of doughnuts to the right, the link 82 performs a half movement to partially actuate the doughnut cutter, and the sweep arm or rake remains stationary at the position of the channel I0.

Finally, during the next quarter turn of the drive shaft the cam 60 again becomes horizontal to the right, the cam 6| again moves to the left, the double cam 18 again becomes vertical, and the cam 83 again moves out to the left. This causes movement of the carrier 35 to the right with its teeth raised, to thereby move the series of doughnuts to the right, and place the right hand one of such series on the turner, causes the carrier 36 to move back to the left with its teeth lowered, to a position beneath the previously turned doughnut, causes the carrier 31 to again move to the left with its teeth lowered to a position beneath the newly placed doughnut, and causes the carrier 38 to move to the right with its teeth raised, to thereby shift the series of doughnuts to the right, and cause delivery of the end one of such series to the delivery device 89. Also the doughnut cutter completes a movement, and the sweep arm or rake moves back to the position of the channel II.

It is noted that during all the foregoing movements the operations of the doughnut cutter and of the sweep or rake should be so timed that the rake passes the position of the newly falling doughnut before the delivery of such doughnut into the grease, so that such newly delivered doughnut may then rest in and be cooking in the grease for as long an interval as possible before the sweep arm again comes back to shift such doughnut to onev of the channels. This will ensure formation of a crust on the doughnut before the rake comes into contact with it, so it will not be injured by such contact, when subsequently made.

In Figure 6 I have shown a modified form of arrangement for ensuring raising and lowering of the carriers bodily during their back and forth movements, to ensure proper placement under the doughnut during one movement, and engagement with the doughnut during the other movement. In this case, the track for the carrier rod or shaft, has the upper and lower horizontal sections 92 and 93, connected at one end by the slanting or cam section 94, and at the other end by the slanting or cam section 95. There is a gate 96 at the upper end of the cam section 95, so that the rod of the carrier rising along the said cam section may pass into the horizontal track portion 92, but on the return movement will be retained in said horizontal section, and compelled to make a complete movement to the other cam section 94 where it may descend to the horizontal section 93 preparatory to restoring movement therealong.

In the modified arrangement shown in Figures 5 and 7, I have substituted the back and forth travelling carriers, or swinging carriers 91 and 98, in place of the sweep or r'ake previously described. These carriers 91 and 98 are pivoted on the rods or shafts 99 and I00, so that by rocking these shafts as shown by the dotted lines in Figure 7 the doughnuts newly dropped by the cutter will be moved to one side or the other, and into line with the channels I or II as the case may be. These shafts should be rocked in proper timing with the other movements, the other parts of the arrangement of Figures and '7 operating as heretofore explained with respect to Figures 1 to 4, inclusive. It is to be noted that the form of Figures 5 and 7 may be made slightly shorter than that of the other figures, since the carriers 9'! and 98 may be placed in transverse alignment with the left hand end doughnuts of the left hand series.

In the modified arrangement of Figures 8, 9 and I have substituted a different form of construction for advancing the forms along the pans, and also a different construction of sweep or the like for delivering the forms to the two arms of the U-shaped pan alternately. In this arrangement each of the advancing means includes the cross arm IOI, carried by the rod I02 which extends over the edge of the frying pan, and then downturned vertically in the form of the rod I03. The lower end of each such rod has the roller I04 which rides on the rail or bar I05. There is a bracket I06 through which each of the rods I03 extends, and by which it is guided and held in vertical position. By moving the brackets back and forth lengthwise of the pan the carriers are moved back and forth in unison. The elevation of the carriers is determined by the elevation of the rail I05.

The brackets I06 at the side of each pan or leg of the U-shaped cooking vessel are connected together by the rod I01 working through the brackets I08 and I09 fastened to the side of the pan, so that by moving said rod back and forth the brackets I06 are moved back and forth, but they are kept at the same elevation during such movement due to the fact that the rod I01 works through the stationary brackets I08 and I09. The rod I01 and brackets I06 are moved back and forth by the link I I0, having the slotted portion III which receives the crank II2. Said slot provides a possible lost motion for the engagement of the crank with the link I I0, and a pin I I3 may be set down across the slot through a selected pair of holes in the portion III, so that the amount of such lost motion may be adjusted. It will be noted, however, that in any case the left hand movement of the link is always to the same limit, whereas the right hand movement is adjustable, since the limit of such right hand movement depends on the amount of lost motion to be taken up by the crank. By this arrangement the left hand movement of the carriers towards the cutter and towards the turner is always the same, Whereasthe right hand movement from the cutter and from the turner is adjustable; such adjustment making it possible to ensure proper delivery of unturned forms to the turner, and proper delivery of the turned forms finally to the delivery device.

The rail I05 is carried by the bell cranks I I4 and H5, pivoted to the side face of the pan, and each having one of its arms connected to the rail, and its other arm connected to the link IIB. By endwise movement of such link the rail may be raised and lowered, thereby also raising and lowering the carriers through the medium of the rollers I04.

It may now be seen that by properly co-ordinated movements of the links I01 and I I6 it is possible to cause lengthwise movement of the carriers back and forth along the cooking pan or vessel, and also up and down movements of the carriers in the cooking pan or vessel; and I prefer to so arrange the parts that each carrier normally stands in lowered position in the vessel, (that is, position to engage the doughnut form), and at the right hand limit of its movement, so as to retain the doughnut form at the right hand end of the series in proper position for engagement by the turner. Then the sequence of movements of the carrier is as follows; up high enough to clear the doughnut forms floating in the pan, backwards towards the left (so as to cause the left hand carrier to move back to take a fresh form, and so as to cause the right hand carrier to take a turned form from the turner), then down so as to properly engage the left hand doughnut form of the series, and then to the right so as to properly advance the series of doughnuts to the position of the carrier, or to the delivery device, as the case may be. 1

Suitable cam and crank devices are provided for ensuring proper and timed movements of the carrier devices just described. In the arrangement shown there is the cross-wise extending rod III on which are mounted the bell cranks I I8 and I I9 for the two rods I01 and I I6, respectively, and there is also the cross-wise extending drive shaft I20 which carries the cams I2I and I22 for these bell cranks, respectively. Itwill be understood that such bell cranks and cams are duplicated at the two sides of the structure so as to properly operate the carriers or advancing devices for the two legs of the .U '-shaped pan, and duplication of description herein is not deemed necessary. It may be stated, however, that the carrier devices at the two sides of the machine, that is, for the two legs of the U-shaped pan, are preferably set in opposition to each other so that they work in alternation.

There is provided in the central portion of each leg of the U-shaped pan a turner, of the same general form as that described in connection with the construction of machine shown in Figures 1 to 4 inclusive. These are the turners I23 and I24, respectively. They are operated by the cranks I25 and I26 which extend over the upper edge of the pan legs, and the link I21 is provided for each such crank. These linksv are carried back to the drive end of the machine and are connected to the bell cranks I28 on the rod II I, and said bell cranks are operated in proper time by the cams I29 on the drive shaft I20. It is noted that the timing of the cams'l29 is such that each turner is turned over during the interval when the corresponding left-hand carrier is at its right hand extreme of movement, so that the doughnuts of the left hand series are held in position such that the turner will properly take the right hand one of such series and turn it over.

The doughnut forms are dropped into the crossconnection at the left hand end of the U-shaped pan by the doughnut cutter of suitable form, and they enter the cooking grease of the pan at the position shown by the dotted lines I30. There is the sweep arm I3I carried on the lower portion of the shaft I32, so that by rocking said shaft back and forth through substantially one half turn the dropped forms will be delivered to one leg of the pan or the other. This rock shaft is rocked back and forth by a cam and rack and pinion arrangement similar to that ofv Figures 1 to 4 inelusive, and operated from the drive shaft I20. It is noted that the timing of the swings of this sweep arm is such that when a new doughnut form is dropped it is allowed to rest in the hot grease for an interval, and is then swept to a position such as that shown by the full lines in Figure 8, the carrier being in its right hand position; and such condition is maintained substantially until the time arrives for transfer of another doughnut form to the other leg of the pan; and just before such movement occurs the carrier is raised and moved back to a position to properly engage the left hand doughnut form of the series, and then the carrier is lowered and shifted to the right so .as to properly shift the series of doughnuts and bring the right hand one of such series to a position on the turner. By this sequence of operations it is seen that a newly dropped doughnut form is allowed to remain as long as possible in the hot grease before it is transferred by the sweep arm, and also that the transferred doughnut form is held in position until the carrier has moved back and properly engaged the left hand doughnut of the series. Such sequence of operations will prevent floating of the forms away from their proper positions, so that the carrier fingers and the turner parts will not damage the forms during their movements.

Reference to Figure 11 shows a form of carrier construction in greater detail. In this figure the arm IOI has the downwardly depending fingers I33, which are rather freely supported at their upper ends, so that they can swing back and forth with respect to the arm IOI. At their lower ends these fingers may be provided with the weights I34 so that as the carrier arm IOI is moved along the cooking pan the fingers will contact the doughnut form with sufiicient force to ensure proper transfer of the doughnut form along the grease in the pan; but in case of obstruction to movement of the forms, the fingers may deflect backwards andthen ride over the doughnut form without damage thereto. It may also be desirable to provide the figers I33 with the indentations or recessed portions I35 which are shaped somewhat to conform with the edge portion of the doughnut form. This will ensure better engagement of the fingers with the edge of the doughnut form, but will nevertheless permit of the yielding function above referred to.

In Figure 12 I have shown somewhat diagrammatically a double-ended arrangement of pan structure including the four arms I36, I31, I38 and I39, with the end delivery devices I40 and I at their outer ends. In the central portion of this structure there is provided a transfer arrangement including the two cam shaped devices I42 and I43, which are so formed that they may intertravel. They normaly stand in the position shown by the full lines in said figure, and the freshly cut doughnut forms are dropped into the hot grease between them at the position I44. When the sweep I42 is then rocked counterclockwise a half revolution it will carry the form around to the leg I36; and the sweep is then returned to its position of the full lines; when the sweep I43 is then turned counterclockwise a half turn it will transfer a form to the leg I38; and the sweep is then returned to its full line position; when the sweep I42 is rocked a half revolution clockwise it will transfer a form to the leg I3I;- and the sweep is then turned back to its full line position; and when the sweep I43 is rocked a half revolution clockwise it will transfer a form into the leg I39; and the sweep is then returned to its full line position. The doughnut forms so delivered to the respective legs of the U-shaped pan are treated by the carriers and turners in any convenient manner, such, for example, as by the use of these devices of the forms or forms herein disclosed.

By such an arrangement it is possible to use the doughnut cutter at its full capacity, cutting the forms as fast as possible, and such so-cut forms will be taken into the respective legs of the cooking pan and travelled therethrough in proper sequence, making use of the full capacity of the cutter, and ensuring proper travel of the forms through the legs of moderate length, and still ensuring proper cooking time for the cooking forms.

While I have herein shown and described only certain embodiments of my inventions, still I do not intend to limit myself thereto, except as I may do so in the claims to follow.

I claim:

1. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a U-shaped channel, means to cut and deliver forms into the cross-connection of said channel, means to move the so-cut and delivered forms alternately to the two legs of the channel, a turner located in each channel leg, advancing means in each channel leg in advance of and behind the turner aforesaid, and means to operate the devices in timed relationship, with the advancing means for each channel leg moving at all times in opposition to each other, substantially as described.

2. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a channel along which the cooking doughnuts are advanced during cooking, a turner in said channel, and suitable advancing devices in said channel in advance of and behind the turner, together with means to operate the turner and the said advancing devices, said'operating means serving to move the advancing devices towards each other and towards the turner on one movement, and to operate the turner over and back on another movement, each such movement occupying substantially one quarter of a cycle of complete movements, substantially as described.

3. Ina machine of the class described, the combination of a channel along which the cooking doughnuts are advanced, a turner in said channel, and suitable advancing devices in said channel in advance of and behind said turner, together with means to operate the turner and the said advancing devices, said operating means serving to actuate the respective devices in quarter cycles, the parts being so timed that on two consecutive quarters the turner is turned over and back, and that on the other two consecutive quarters the advancing devices are moved towards each other and towards the turner, and then away from each other and away from the turner, substantially as described.

4. In a machine of the 'class described, the combination of a cooking channel along which the cooking doughnuts are travelled, a turner in said channel, and suitable advancing devices in said channel in advance of and behind the turner, together with means to operate the turner and the advancing devices, said operating means being timed to turn the turner over and back on one half cycle, and to move the advancing devices towards each other and towards the turner, and then away from each other and away from the turner, on the other half cycle, substantially as described.

5. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a channel for cooking grease, means to deliver doughnut forms thereinto at a given position and of selected size, a turner in the channel, means to advance a series of cooking forms from such position of introduction towards the turner, means to move and advance a series of cooking forms away from the turner, means to cause movement of the first mentioned advancing means towards the position of introduction always to the same limit of movement and to vary the movement thereof towards the turner, and means to cause movement of the second mentioned advancing means towards the turner always to the same limit of movement and to vary the movement thereof away from the turner, substantially as described.

6. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a channel for cooking grease, means to introduce doughnut forms thereinto at a given position, a turner in the central portion of the channel, means to advance the cooking forms from the position of introduction towards the turner, means to advance the cooking forms from the turner towards a delivery position, and means to vary the movements of both of said advancing means to thereby vary the degree of advancement of the cooking forms, substantially as described.

7. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a channel for cooking grease, means to introduce doughnut forms thereinto at a given position, a turner in the channel, means to advance a series of cooking forms from the position of introduction towards the turner, means to advance a series of cooking forms from the turner towards a delivery position, and means to vary the movements of said advancing means respectively according to the accumulated sizes of the respective series of doughnut forms, substantially as described.

8. In a doughnut machine, the combination of a channel for cooking grease, means to introduce doughnut forms thereinto at a given position, turning means in the channel, means to advance cooking forms from the turner towards a delivery position, and means to move said advancing means with a variable degree of movement according to the accumulated sizes of a series of the cooking forms subjected to movement by said advancing means, with movement thereof towards the position of intr iduction, and towards the turner, respectively, of fixed position, substantially as described.

9. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a channel for cooking doughnuts, means to introduce doughnut forms thereinto, and means to transfer said forms lengthwise of the channel, said means comprising an arm extending transversely of the channel, means to shift said arm back and forth lengthwise of the channel, a series of fingers loosely suspended from said arm and depending into the channel, and adapted by their weight to normally ensure transfer of cooking forms by contact therewith during the movement of the arm along the channel, and adapted to deflect when subjected to abnormal force of contact with the cooking form, together with means to raise and lower the arm with respect to the channel at the extremes of movement therealong, substantially as described.

10. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a channel for cooking doughnuts, means to introduce doughnut forms thereinto, and means to transfer said forms lengthwise of the channel, said means comprising an arm extending transversely of the channel, means to shift said arm back and forth lengthwise of the channel, and a series of fingers loosely suspended from the arm and depending into the channel, and adapted by their weight to normally ensure transfer of cooking forms by contact therewith during movement of the arm along the channel,

and adapted to deflect when subjected to abnormal force with the cooking form, substantially as described. I

11. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a channel for cooking forms, means to introduce doughnut forms thereinto, and means to transfer said forms lengthwise of the channel, said means comprising an arm extending transversely of the channel and having a series of vertlcal'fingers for engagement with a cooking form, together with means to transfer said arm lengthwise of the channel, and also to move said arm vertically at its extremes of movement, whereby said fingers are shifted lengthwise 12. In a machine of the class described, the.

combination of a pair of channels in alignment with each other, each such pair including two parallel channels for cooking forms, means to introduce fresh forms into the central portion of said structure, and means to transfer such forms to the channels in rotation, said means comprising a pair of sweeps mounted for rocking movement about vertical axes centrally located with respect to said aligned channel structures, said sweeps being of double concave cross-section, and being adapted to inter-rotate with respect to each other, whereby a doughnut form introduced between the sweeps may be transferred to any selected channel arm by proper rocking movement of one of the sweeps, substantially as described.

13. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a pair of aligned double channels for cooking forms, each such double channel including a pair of parallel channels means to introduce doughnut forms centrally of the structure, together with means to sweep such so-introduced forms alternately to the channel arms in rotation, said sweeps means comprising a pair of companion members rotatably mounted in the central portion of the channel structure for rotation about vertical axes, and said members being suitably formed for interrotation with respect to each other, whereby by selective rotation of said membersthe forms are transferred to the channel arms in rotation, substantially as described. 14. In a machine of the class described, the combination of an elongated channel structure for cooking grease, means to introduce doughnut forms into the central portion of said structure,-

together with means to sweep said forms alternately to the two sides and the two ends of said channel structure, comprising a pair of sweep members mounted for rotation about vertical axes extending transversely of the central portion of said channel structure, said sweep members being of generally double concave cross-sectional form, and formed to inter-travel during their rotations, substantially as described.

CHARLES E; CARPENTER. 

